Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: combat cleaning on February 21, 2006, 07:16:16 pm

Title: applicator cleaning
Post by: combat cleaning on February 21, 2006, 07:16:16 pm
Does anyone know if washing applicator sleeves in the washing machine with a normal dose of washing powder affects them.
Recently its as if all my customers have been using glass cleaner, the squeegee drags across the glass making normal methods of cutting impossible.
I think the sleeves may be getting impregnated.
Thanks
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: pjulk on February 21, 2006, 07:28:33 pm
I always bung the applicators in the washing machine with my scrim and use a persil tablet.

Have not had a problem.

But i have noticed lately some of my scrim seem to be going a bit fluffy so may need some new scrim.

Paul
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: Roy Harding on February 21, 2006, 07:29:51 pm
What detergent are you using to clean the windows?

Roy
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: windows_chepstow on February 21, 2006, 07:33:56 pm
Chris,

I think it could be your rubbers.  Have you changed brand recently?

I bought a whole load of rubbers last year (£65.00 worth) and they were absolutely rubbish.  I've still got most of them in the cupboard under the stairs; still in their wrappers.

You need to wash your applicator now and again; once a fortnight at least.  Don't use a conditioner, just bung the applicator sleeve in the wash with your scrims with some cheap washing powder.  Seal the velcro strip down first though; as it says on the washing instructions.

You could use dirty muddy water to clean a window with, as long as you have a bit of 'slip' from some good old Fairy liquid; so I doubt it's your applicator's fault, or what you've been washing it in.

As I say, I think it's the rubber you're using.
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: marc al on February 21, 2006, 07:41:45 pm
  After my applicator has had a wash I usually need to apply some fairy directly onto it to make it absorb some detergent easier, it is usaully OK after that.
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: combat cleaning on February 21, 2006, 07:45:36 pm
thanks everyone
After reading some of the comments on other issues I believe it is the blades.
Have been buying ettore. will try another one.
Thanks all for your help
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: windows_chepstow on February 21, 2006, 07:55:04 pm
After reading some of the comments on other issues I believe it is the blades.

Wahay!

I'm a n00b at window cleaning, relatively speaking; and I answered a question correctly!

PS.

Does anyone want to buy £65.00 worth of defective Unger Soft rubber for £20 plus postage and packing?
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: windows_chepstow on February 21, 2006, 07:58:32 pm
After reading some of the comments on other issues I believe it is the blades.

Oh, just one after-thought.  Last year I dropped my squeegie from a first floor window.

I thought nothing of it at the time.

But then every window I cleaned left streaks.  I changed rubbers and it helped slightly, but still every window was a nightmare.

I soldiered on for three days; having a complete nightmare and not being bright enough to realise what the problem was!

It was a bent squeegie!
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: combat cleaning on February 21, 2006, 08:38:15 pm
Thanks Tosh
Very helpful, will change channel and rubber!
Have been using microfibre sleeves recently and find them very good, much better at removing soil.
Regards
Chris
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: windows_chepstow on February 21, 2006, 08:47:32 pm
No probs, Chris.

I've just looked at your back-posts and see you've attended a BWCA course.

Which one was it (I guess it was the 'squeeging' one) and do you think it prepared you for what you're doing now?

Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: stuart webster on February 21, 2006, 08:54:04 pm
After reading some of the comments on other issues I believe it is the blades.

Wahay!

I'm a n00b at window cleaning, relatively speaking; and I answered a question correctly!

PS.

Does anyone want to buy £65.00 worth of defective Unger Soft rubber for £20 plus postage and packing?

We use Unger Soft all the time. How is it defective?
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: windows_chepstow on February 21, 2006, 09:08:22 pm
After reading some of the comments on other issues I believe it is the blades.

Wahay!

I'm a n00b at window cleaning, relatively speaking; and I answered a question correctly!

PS.

Does anyone want to buy £65.00 worth of defective Unger Soft rubber for £20 plus postage and packing?

We use Unger Soft all the time. How is it defective?

Bear,

E-mail me your address and I'll send you £40 to £50 worth of Unger Soft Rubber.

Free.

I bought them from Screwfix.

I tried different handles and different channels and they all worked out really bad.  They're each 42" long, coiled and still in their Unger wrapper.

But they are really bad.  At first I thought I had a bad batch.  Then I thought I had a bent channel.  Then I thought I had a dodgy channel holder.

In the end I realised the rubbers were really naff.  I should really send them back with a complaint.

As a final test, I'll try another one out tomorrow and use it.

In the mean time, e-mail me your address.

If they're still naff, I'll send you the lot! 
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: stuart webster on February 21, 2006, 09:20:41 pm
Tosh, e-mail sent

Bear
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: gibbouk on February 21, 2006, 10:24:26 pm
never use fabric conditioner. it affects the water absorbion of material.
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: combat cleaning on February 21, 2006, 11:00:54 pm
Hi Tosh
Yes it was the one day course
It did improve my technique and taught me a lot
Never had a problem before with the blades before
Regards
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: KJG on February 22, 2006, 04:23:09 pm
Does anyone know if washing applicator sleeves in the washing machine with a normal dose of washing powder affects them.
Recently its as if all my customers have been using glass cleaner, the squeegee drags across the glass making normal methods of cutting impossible.
I think the sleeves may be getting impregnated.
Thanks

 

Try a drop of ammonia in the water. 
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: leegooner on February 22, 2006, 04:25:00 pm
been cleaning windows 29 years this year

pulux blades best buy a mile last twice as long

 :)
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: Moderator David@stives on February 22, 2006, 04:40:31 pm
been cleaning windows 29 years this year

pulux blades best buy a mile last twice as long

 :)

They last twice as long but they are not as sharp and crisp as ettorre and unger,
I found Pulex lost there edge after just 2 hours of use.
I always change my rubber everyday to eliminate any problems and have less detailing
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: sunshine windows on February 22, 2006, 07:31:47 pm
Quote
Try a drop of ammonia in the water. 

why not just try peeing in it to see if that helps  ;)
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: g_griffin on February 22, 2006, 07:50:24 pm
Tosh,

         It might be the Unger 3* rubber. I`ve had it and didn`t think too much of it.

                    Gerry.
Title: Re: applicator cleaning
Post by: Terry_Burrows on February 22, 2006, 07:52:50 pm
pulex are prob the best around ;)